Method and apparatus for over-the-air activation of neighborhood cordless services

ABSTRACT

A method for providing local cordless service comprises the steps of receiving subscriber neighborhood zone selection input so that a mobile telephone equipped subscriber may place or receive calls for a fixed rate, for example, per month without having to pay radio frequency air time charges any time they are located within their selected subscribed-to zones. If the subscribed-to zones are adjacent to one another and the mobile subscriber roans from one zone to another, the subscriber may continue their fee call uninterrupted and without paying air time charges. However, when the subscriber roans outside their subscribed-to zones they may be switched from the present local cordless services t conventional personal communications services and pay air time charges. However for an active call. No air-time charges are incurred as the user transitions between the cellular/DPCS environment and the local cordless service environment.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/649,650, filed Jan. 4, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,712,405, which is acontinuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/175,825, filed Jul.6, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,181,207, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 09/987,610, filed Nov. 15, 2001, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,980,817, which is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 09/223,318, filed Dec. 30, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,594,488,all of which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to the field of providing neighborhoodcordless-type services at a single rate such that there is no air timecharge for calls made within a home neighborhood zone or subscribed-tovisiting neighborhood zone(s), and more particularly to a method ofactivating such services over-the-air without any need for servicepersonnel assistance.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

It is known to provide wireless services for a fixed fee and to chargeadditional air time fees for each period of time that a subscriber tothe wireless services is using the radio frequency spectrum. Suchservices were initiated in the 1970's as analog wireless services andhave become digital over time, for example, the relatively new digitalpersonal communications services (DPCS).

It has been known up until recently to permit users to have cordlesstelephone apparatus comprising a base station and a mobile unit suchthat the mobile unit may communicate with the base station over limiteddistances of several hundred feet. Recently, in the United States,however, a band of frequencies has been made available in the 900 MHZrange for providing cordless telephone service where the mobile stationcan be as far removed from the base station portion of the stationapparatus by as much as one mile under optimal conditions. Consequently,a user would not have to pay for air time charges as in wirelessservices such as a personal communications services if a mobile stationis confined within one mile radius of the typically home-located basestation.

Fixed wireless subscriber loop services are also known. Equipment forproviding such services is available from suppliers such as DivaCommunications and OptoPhone Systems. The fixed wireless subscriber loopconcept has been used successfully to provide telephone services toremote, for example, mountainous regions. To provide a copper wiresubscriber loop to such customers can cost hundreds of thousands ofdollars per subscriber. Subscribers to a fixed wireless subscriber loopsystem have an antenna mounted to their home or business and receive anequivalent of wired services over a wireless link to an antenna site,for example, on the top of the mountain. Service can be provided for afixed rate, the copper subscriber wired loop eliminated and no air timecharges are charged.

There is still a need in the art for a wireless service that wouldpermit a mobile subscriber to roam within a zone close to their home inthe same way as a 900 MHZ cordless customer is free to carry theircordless phone from room to room. A mobile subscriber should be able toroam and also move from one zone to another or make calls fromnon-contiguous zones without having to pay for air time charges. Intoday's cellular environment, airtime is charged. The current feestructure thus has very little incentive for customers to continue touse their cellular phones when they have access to a home-based landlinephone. In order to achieve the objectives of one phone, one numberanytime and anywhere communications, it is imperative that aneighborhood or local ‘cordless-type’ of services be provided to all thepublic cellular/PCS subscribers and with incentive to use the same PCSphone in the home/office and around the neighborhood area without airtime charges. A subscriber should not lose a call in progress as theymove from one subscribed-to zone to another adjacent subscribed zone,and should have the opportunity to switch automatically to known DPCSservices and pay air time charges should they so choose. A subscriber tosuch services should be able to activate their service over-the-air fromtheir subscriber to home neighborhood zone without having to obtainservice personnel assistance.

TIA/EIA Interim Standard—Addendum No. 1 to TIMEIA/IS-136.1-A providessuggested messages for an over-the-air activation teleservice, whichpermits a subscriber to activate cellular service without theintervention of a third party. There is no provision for point-of-saledata entry or preregistration so that a subscriber may be properlyvalidated. Nevertheless, these suggested messages should be preferablysupported in an over-the-air activation service.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Subscribers to a local cordless-type service according to the presentinvention may subscribe to a home neighborhood zone and optionally oneor more visiting neighborhood zones from which the subscribers may placetelephone calls without having to pay air time charges. By localcordless-type service is intended a mobile wireless subscriber loopservice wherein stations are mobile and the subscriber loop to thecustomer's premises may be replaced with a wireless loop. The subscriberneed not maintain their wired connection to a local exchange carrier(LEC). If the subscribers are current public digital PCS service users,they may use their existing cellular phone and unique mobileidentification number (MIN) for subscription to the service. Subscribersmay also have the option of electing new wireline numbers to be assignedto their cellular phone for subscription of the service and the numbersassigned may be the traditional PSTN directory number (DN).Alternatively, the subscribers can elect to port their existing wirelineDNs to this service. If the subscriber is not a public cellular user,they will need a cellular phone or other mobile station (MS) assignedwith either a new DN or their ported DN from the incumbent localexchange carder (ILEC).

The subscriber buys their phone at a retail outlet and the retail outletrecords the purchase in a service provider database. The point-of-saleinformation may include subscriber name, address, credit card number,unique mobile station identification number (MSID), optional personalidentification number (PIN) and other verification numbers.Alternatively or in addition, the subscriber may preregister forservices with their network service provider of choice. The userinitiates their service by activating their phone over-the-air when theyfirst communicate from their selected home neighborhood zone. A featurecode comprising a part of the over-the-air activation message maycomprise one or more of a uniquely chosen sequence of bits, amanufacturer's electronic serial number and a personal identificationnumber (PIN) selected by the user. The system automatically verifies theuser by comparing the point-of-sale/preregistration information with theinformation input by the subscriber from their home neighborhood zone.Over-the-air activation occurs without the assistance of servicepersonnel.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, a subscriber tosuch a mobile service pays a flat rate that is competitive with or evenless expensive than a subscriber to conventional wired public switchedtelecommunications services. In their home zone, which may beapproximately the same size as, or even slightly larger in size than,the range of a standard 900 MHZ cordless phone, the subscriber may carryor otherwise receive services at one flat rate (regardless of air timeused). For additional flat fees, the subscriber may also make calls inone or more visited zones which may be contiguous with or remote fromthe home zone.

When a subscriber travels between the subscribed home zone and anadjacent visiting zone or between adjacent visiting zones, the call maybe handed off to the other zone without interruption to the call inprogress. Also, when a subscriber moves from any subscribed zone to apublic cellular/PCS environment, the call may be handed off without airtime charges for the duration of the same call.

As a subscriber leaves their home zone and roams toward a remote (i.e.,non-adjacent) visited zone, there exist at least three alternative waysof billing a call in progress. In one embodiment, the call in progresswill be terminated when the boundaries of the subscribed-to zone arereached. In another embodiment, the call will be allowed to continuewithout air time charges for a predetermined period of time as a publiccellular carrier (e.g., a conventional digital personal communicationsservice call). In this invention the preferred method is to allow thecall to continue but the subscriber will be switched over to publiccellular carrier frequency without air-time charges for the duration ofthe same call

These and other features of the present invention will be understoodfrom studying the drawings and the following detailed description ofvarious embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a functional block schematic drawing of an exemplary networkarchitecture for providing LCS Local Cordless-type Services (LCS) andfor describing call processing.

FIG. 2 is a functional block schematic drawing of the intelligent basestation (130) shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows the message flow process between a mobile station (MS) anda network server platform (NSP) and associated database (ID) fordownloading a number assignment module (NAM).

FIG. 4a shows an exemplary call processing flow for registration of amobile station with a mobile identification number (MIN) in itsassociated home neighborhood zone (HNZ).

FIG. 4b shows an exemplary call processing flow for registration of amobile station with a directory number (DN) in its associated homeneighborhood zone (HNZ).

FIG. 4c shows an exemplary call processing flow for registration of aDN-based mobile station in a subscribed-to visiting neighborhood zone(VNZ).

FIG. 5a shows an exemplary call processing flow for a call delivered toa mobile station with a mobile identification number (MIN).

FIG. 5b shows an exemplary call delivery to a DN-based subscriber in theHNZ via the home IBS.

FIG. 5c shows an exemplary call delivery to a visiting neighborhood zonefor a DN-based subscriber registered with the visited V-NSP.

FIG. 5d shows an exemplary call processing for a ported DN basedsubscriber in their HNZ.

FIG. 5e shows an exemplary call processing for a ported DN basedsubscriber in a visited zone.

FIG. 5f shows an exemplary call delivery for a DN-based subscriber usingthe Advance Intelligent Network triggers.

FIG. 6a shows an exemplary intra-cell call hand-off.

FIG. 6b shows an exemplary inter-cell call hand-off within, for example,NSP 145-1.

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary outgoing call from a LCS subscriber from aregistered zone.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary system architecture forproviding local cordless-type services (LCS) according to the presentinvention. LCS according to the present invention essentially provides amobile wireless subscriber loop. If a subscriber so chooses, thesubscriber may disconnect their wired telephone service provided bytheir incumbent local exchange carrier (ILEC) and utilize their samedirectory number (DN) via the present local cordless-type service. Thesystem architecture of FIG. 1 may be overlaid on an existing publicswitched telephone service network (PSTN) 100 shown above and to theright of a public cellular network cell 101-2 of known cellular wirelessservice (WS). The LCS service may likewise be overlaid and be providedfrom the same antenna sites as a conventional cellular wireless serviceor personal communications service. It is envisioned that the LCS radioequipment (IBS) 130-1, 130-2 can also be attached to telephone poles.For ease of understanding, FIG. 1 presents the PSTN 100 as a separatenetwork entity away from the LCS. Thus, FIG. 1 is simplified to theextent that the conventional wired PSTN 100 may actually surround andinclude a local cordless-type services network according to the presentinvention in much the same way that today a PSTN network 100 surroundsand includes a typical cellular mobile wireless service (WS) networkcomprising cells 101-1 to 101-7 or digital personal communicationservice (DPCS) network. As will be further described herein, the LCSservice network defines a plurality of neighborhood zones, which maycomprise home neighborhood zones (HNZs) 105-1 and visiting neighborhoodzones (VNZs) 115-1, 115-2 from the point of view of an individualsubscriber to the LCS service of the present invention.

In fact, the present LCS service may utilize WS, PCS, and/or DPCSinfrastructure such as antenna sites and subscriber apparatus. Oneadvantage of the LCS service is its efficient use of the surroundingnetwork's bandwidth capacity. As will be further described herein,unused channels in the 800 MHZ and 1800 MHZ spectra for WS, PCS, and/orDPCS service may be dynamically allocated to LCS service as taught byU.S. Pat. No. 5,809,423 (issued Sep. 15, 1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,352(issued Jul. 28, 1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,536 (issued Apr. 14, 1998),U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,379 (issued Apr. 30, 1996), U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,574(issued Apr. 4, 1995), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,499 (issued Sep. 6,1994), all issued to B. Mathilde et al., which are all incorporated byreference herein in their entireties. Moreover, as taught by thesepatents, the radio frequency cells may be dynamically configuredaccording to algorithms described therein.

LCS service also differs from current cellular/DPCS service in that theLCS radio equipment interfaces to a local digital line switch and not toa mobile switching center. The local digital switch provides bearerchannels and feature applications as well as the switching fabric forwired lines. The mobile switching center provides comparablecapabilities to the cellular/DPCS network. Utilizing a local digitalline side switch enables LCS to provide feature applications to the LCSsubscriber currently available to wired telephony but unavailable viathe MSC 180 in wireless telephony. Another feature of LCS is that theLCS radio equipment, the IBS, 130-1, 130-2, 130-3 interfaces to thelocal digital switch via ISDN BRI lines and the IBS uses Q.931 signalingfor call processing with the LDS 140-1, 140-2. IBS 130-1 and 130-2interface via ISDN BRI lines to remote digital terminal RDT 178 which isa remote digital terminal for concentrating lines known in the art to aGR 303 line to LDS 140-2. IBS 130-3 communicates with LDS 140-1 via ISDNBRI 135-3. This interface is a widely supported open standard interfaceand thus the LCS radio equipment, for example, IBS 130-1, 130-2, 130-3,can interwork with any local digital switch that supports the integratedservices digital network (ISDN). Therefore LCS radio equipment appearsto the switch as an ISDN terminal station and the radio equipment isresponsible for terminating Q.931 protocol and establishing the RF link.

A subscriber 10 in a home neighborhood zone (HNZ) 105-1 of wirelessservice (WS) cell 101-2 may be a PSTN 100 service subscriber and have ahard-wired telephone (not shown) at their residence within the HNZ105-1. Local cordless-type services according to the present inventionare not limited by the extensive investment in copper cable distributionfacilities which will be referred to herein as a wired subscriber loop.That copper investment (made in a PSTN 100 environment) is avoided withlocal cordless-type services according to the present invention. Thus,LCS service is expected to be less expensive to subscribers thanconventional wired PSTN service.

Subscriber MS 10 to a copper-wired PSTN 100 may pay, for example, afixed rate for telephone service each month and receive unlimitedincoming calls within a local calling zone, for example, HNZ 105-1. Thetypical subscriber at MS 10 may also place free outgoing calls fromtheir residence within the same local calling zone.

According to the present invention of providing local cordless-typeservices in the same area, subscriber MS 10 may not have wired, fixedlocation apparatus but may be equipped with a mobile cellular telephoneor digital personal communications service telephone, for example, aTIA/EIA/Interim Standard-136 compliant DPCS mobile station (MS) 10. Forthe same monthly rate or a lower monthly rate than the same subscribermay pay for fixed, wired PSTN 100 service, the subscriber with MS 10 mayreceive local cordless-type services. Thus, the LCS subscriber will haveequivalent, or in many respects superior, features (such as one numbertype of mobility service) as a wired PSTN subscriber for the same orlower cost.

Now the present invention of providing local cordless-type services alsodiffers from a typical cellular telephone service or personalcommunications service (PCS), in that both of these conventionalservices charge air time beyond a flat rate for service. In other words,these conventional services apply an additional per-minute charge foruse of the radio frequency spectrum. The present invention of providinglocal cordless-type services permits unlimited air time within the homeneighborhood zone 105-1 and any subscribed visiting neighborhoodzone(s), for example VNZ 115-1, 115-2, such that the amount billed perservice period is fixed, regardless of the amount of airtime used.

Also, the present invention is comparable with the provision ofconventional so-called 900 MHZ cordless handsets which communicate witha wired home base station. While it is urged by proponents of suchapparatus that such phones are portable and may be used as far away asone mile (or more) from associated home base stations, in practice, manysuch phones are not capable of operating further than hundreds of feetfrom their wired base stations, for example, because of unfortunateantenna location, the personal use of the mobile handset portion or theplacement of the base station or handset portion within a radiofrequency shielded residence or automobile or because of otherenvironmental factors. Another limitation for using a 900 MHz phone isthat free airtime can only be achieved when using it around the wiredhome base station. There is no such concept of visiting zone(s) 115-1,115-2.

The Home Neighborhood Zone (HNZ)

According to the present invention, each subscriber with LCS mobilestation (MS) 10 (this subscriber may or may not have a landline phonebut must have a cellular phone mother mobile station (MS) in order touse the invention) will be given the opportunity to make calls free ofair time charges anywhere within their home neighborhood zone 105-1.Subscriber MS 14 may roam throughout the home neighborhood zone and makecalls for free within that zone. Another subscriber, for example,subscriber MS 150 may have a different home neighborhood zone that isdefined by their residence location within that zone. The subscriber maybe coincidentally located near the center of their HNZ 105-1 or towardits perimeter. The HNZ thus is a fixed geographic pattern that may haveany desired shape surrounding an intelligent base station (IBS) andantenna site, in this example, IBS 130-2. The HNZ 105-1 may have othershapes as well, such as an elongated shape, to obtain, for example, alarge calling and callable population of subscribers. For the purposesof this description and by way of example only a circle is shown in thedrawing but such use of a circle should not be construed to be limiting.In one embodiment, the pattern may have a radius of between one and onehalf mile and two miles. In another embodiment, the pattern may have aradius of one half of a mile to one and one half mile, or two to 4miles. In another embodiment, the HNZ 105-1 may have a diameter of asmuch as seven to ten miles. In another embodiment, the shape of thepattern in relation to the neighboring zones may be that of an ellipse.The design of HNZ's and visiting neighborhood zones (VNZ's) may be aprocess involving the calculation of frequent calling patterns and thedesirability of inclusion within the zone of frequently calledcommercial and retail establishments. The design may become an art aswell as a science. The concept, however, is clearly to provide at leastequivalent service to 900 MHZ cordless telephone service and to providebetter than equivalence with respect to the mobility of the phone withwired PSTN 100 service.

The Visiting Neighborhood Zone (VNZ)

The LCS service may comprise a first flat monthly rate for a homeneighborhood zone 105-1 and permit additional air time free callingzones named herein as visiting neighborhood zones (VNZ) 115-1, 115-2 foran additional nominal flat rate per each additional visitingneighborhood zone. For subscriber MS 10 whose HNZ is zone 105-1,subscriber MS 10 may have one or more visiting neighborhood zones (VNZ)115-1, 115-2. The VNZ need not be contiguous with the HNZ, for example,as VNZ 115-1 is contiguous with HNZ 105-1 and VNZ 115-2 is notcontiguous with HNZ 105-1. The VNZ's may overlap other VNZ's or HNZ'smore than is shown in FIG. 1. When loosely overlapping, for example, thebuffer zone 195-1 within the HNZ or buffer zone 195-2 within VNZ 115-1may provide subscriber with the ability to travel without loosing aconnection between VNZ and VNZ or between HNZ and VNZ. The rate thesubscriber must pay may vary with the subscribed-to visiting zone VNZ orsimply be constant for each VNZ added. In another rate plan, the firstVNZ may be offered at a given rate and the next VNZ may be added at alesser additional flat rate. What may be a visiting neighborhood zone115-1, 115-2 for one subscriber such as subscriber 10 will be a homeneighborhood zone for another subscriber whose home is located withinthe zone. Each VNZ is designed in the same way and manner as an HNZ. Forexample, VNZ 115-1 surrounds IBS and antenna site 130-1 and VNZ 115-2surrounds IBS and antenna site 130-3 in the same way as HNZ 105-1surrounds IBS and antenna site 130-2.

The subscriber to LCS service need not select a VNZ for their servicethat is proximate to or overlaps their HNZ. Subscriber MS 10, forexample, may choose VNZ 115-1 or the more remote VNZ 115-2 or both zonesin addition to their HNZ 105-1. The subscriber, thus, may choose a VNZ115-2 that is considerably remote from their HNZ such as a zonesurrounding their place of employment, their school or the neighborhoodof a family member. The VNZ selected may be a VNZ so remote from theirHNZ that a call from their HNZ to the VNZ might be a toll call if itwere a wired line PSTN service call.

When subscriber MS 10 roams from HNZ 105-1 into VNZ 115-1 by way of thelabeled buffer zones, there will be no charge for airtime and the callin progress will be maintained. When subscriber 10 roams from HNZ 105-1into VNZ 115-2, then, there is no overlapping buffer zone, the call inprogress may or may not be maintained. If the LCS subscriber happens tobe also a public PCS/cellular service subscriber, the call in progressis handed over to the public PCS/cellular system using public cellularspectrum frequency, there will be no air time charges for the durationof the same call. There exist at least three alternative embodiments forthe subscriber MS 10 that travels outside an HNZ or a VNZ to which theyhave subscribed. These include 1) allowing the subscriber to continuethe call they have initiated or have received without additional chargeat least for a predetermined length of time, 2) disconnecting thesubscriber from the connection they have for a given call after thesubscriber leaves their HNZ or subscribed-to VNZ's or 3) allowing thecall to continue outside their HNZ or subscribed-to VNZ's and billingthe subscriber for the air time. When the subscriber is within the thirdalternative, the subscriber may receive a conventional wireless servicesuch as DPCS. As a subscriber reaches a borderline of a subscribed-tozone, the subscriber may see a lit warning lamp, and/or receive anaudible or other alert to their status as is further described incopending application, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/223,320,entitled, “Automatic Status Indicators for Neighborhood CordlessServices,” filed on the same day as the present application and inventedby A. Chow, R. Miller II, J. Russell, W. Ying, and S. Wang.

The buffer zone is inherent to each HNZ or VNZ. It is the area thatdefines the perimeter of the zone where service quality may not be atthe optimal level, but service can still be rendered. (NOTE: “bufferzones” also exists in cellular/DPCS, they are just the periphery of acell, the buffer one is not unique to LCS.)

Intra-Building Utilization of HNZ and VNZ, for Example, by an Employer

The concept of HNZ and VNZ can be extended to providing anintra-building or intra-office complex LCS. LCS can be used to providewireless intra-building communications. A home zone may be one locationof a company and visiting zones may be frequently visited locations ofthe same company within the same company premises or another companypremises. Service may be provided at one rate for all wireless use of acompany owned phone or phone system at a company location. Moreover, inthe spirit of U.S. Pat. No. 4,456,793, hereby incorporated by referencein its entirety, the service may be extended to comprising, for example,an infrared light link between the phones and the IBS and antenna sites.In one embodiment of LCS within a building, different floors of thebuilding, hallways and certain radio frequency shielded or isolatedrooms may be equipped with IBS and antenna sites. For example, onesector of one floor may be distinguished from a sector of another floor,if appropriate and depending on the application.

System Architecture

The LCS system architecture will now be described in further detail withreference to FIG. 1. The subscriber's MS 10 may be equipped with atypical DPCS or WS mobile telephone. A DPCS telephone in compliance withIS-136 is preferred in the present invention. Certain enhancements tothe basic IS-136 design include audible, light (such as LED), and/orother means of alerting a subscriber of a change in service and/or otherstatus. Without limiting any invention, and by way of example, a set ofLEDs may present colored indications of red for no service, a greenlight for service A, such as conventional cellular or PCS service, abrown light for cellular roaming service and a blue light for service B,the LCS service. By A no service is intended those times when the mobiletelephone is powered and has received a user request, but the mobilestation is not able to establish a connection with any service provider.When a subscriber is in their HNZ or VNZ, the station may first try toestablish an LCS connection and if not possible, due to low signalstrength or because the subscriber is out of a zone, the mobile stationwill try to establish a conventional WS, PCS or DPCS connection, andalso can not establish a connection to these systems.

Another enhancement is the capability for the mobile phone toautomatically select the appropriate service provider for the givencoverage area. For example, if a customer is a subscriber to bothcellular/DPCS and LCS service, it would be cumbersome for the user toremember when to select the correct service profile on their MS (forexample, such as the IS-136 Number Assignment Module (NAM) A forcellular/DPCS service, and NAM B for LCS service.) The mobile phoneworking in conjunction with the cellular/DPCS or LCS networkintelligence will determine the correct service profile (e.g., IS-136NAM) that should be active thus permitting the user to transitionbetween services seamlessly and accurately. In other words, whether asubscriber's MIN is ported or not, a subscriber MIN may have a pluralityof allocated different services including cellular/DPCS and the presentLCS. It will generally be the case that a subscriber will be asubscriber to cellular/DPCS and may not be a subscriber to LCS. But if asubscriber subscribes to LCS, it would be beneficial to also subscribeto DPCS so their MS 10 may be more universally usable.

A user subscribes to multiple wireless services and the MS 10 stores theservice specific information (e.g., IS-136 NAM) to access theappropriate network. The network(s) associated with all the subscribedservices also maintains a database ID 146 including the subscriber'sprofile, service subscription, service preferences and priorities. Whenthe customer enters a coverage area and turns on their Mobile Station(MS), the MS 10 remembers the last service environment it registered andattempts to use the same profile with the current network. The networkrecognizes the customer and retrieves the subscriber profile from thedatabase. Based on the user's current location information, the networkdetermines the preferred service profile for the user. If the currentcoverage area offers the preferred service environment, the networkaccepts the registration and the MS is ready for service. If thepreferred service environment is available in the coverage area butunder another MS service profile, the network directs the MS to switchto that service profile. The MS retrieves the correct service profiledata and registers for the new services. These services can be offeredby the previously attempted network or by a new network. In either case,the (previously attempted or new) network will again determine if theuser is in the correct service environment and using the right profile.If so, the network accepts the registration, the MS informs thesubscriber of service (audibly and/or visually), and the subscriberbegins to use the service.

Referring to subscriber 10 located in HNZ 105-1, there is shown anintelligent base station (IBS) and antenna site 130-2 at the center ofthe HNZ 105-1 with which subscriber 10 communicates via their DPCS or WSmobile station. The IBSs 130-1, 130-2 and 130-3 each may comprise adigital software radio station that supports an IS-136 based timedivision multiple access (TDMA) common air interface. For example, eachIBS may support three TDMA frames (this comprises eight IS-136 digitaltraffic channels, a digital Control channel) and four ISDN-BRI (basicrate interface 2B+D) lines for providing up to eight simultaneoustelephone calls. Again by way of example, respective links 135-1 and135-2 may couple IBS and antenna sites 130-1 and 130-2 to remote digitalterminals (RDT) (only a single RDT 178 is shown by way of example), fortraffic concentration or relay of the calls to a local digital switch(LDS) 140-2 via a GR-303 trunk interface 185, as appropriate. GR-303relates, for example, to a known remote terminal (RDT) to local digitalswitch interface comprising an integrated digital loop carrier systemand associated requirements. In an alternative embodiment, the IBS 130-3may communicate directly via ISDN BRI link 135-3 to a local digitalswitch 140-1.

LDS 140-1 or 140-2 may preferably comprise any local digital switchknown in the art including, but not limited to, a No. 5 ESS switchmanufactured by Lucent Technologies, Inc., or a DMS-100 switchmanufactured by Northern Telecom which is also called a digitaltelecommunications switch in the art. These switches perform theswitching function necessary to connect LCS subscribers to PSTNcustomers, WS customers, PCS or DPCS customers or other LCS subscriberswherever situated. A network server platform (NSP) (e.g., NSP 145-1,145-2) of an LCS system may be an adjunct to each LDS 140-1 and 140-2.The NSP may preferably comprise a pair of fully redundant (i.e., for hotstandby fault tolerance) Sun Sparc work stations available from SunMicrosystems or other comparable processor programmed as will be furtherdescribed herein for registration, call processing, and/or callhand-off. Each NSP will have an intelligent database (ID) containingsubscriber profile information. Each site may be backed-up by anintelligent spare NSP and ID and program memory backed up on disc orother memory back-up. In FIG. 1, LDS 140-2 is coupled to NSP 145-1 andLDS 140-1 is coupled to NSP 145-2. Each NSP operates to effectivelycontrol all activities associated with subscriber registration, callsetup and tear down, radio frequency engineering, handoffs, featureapplications, and operation, administration and maintenance (OA&M)functions. Each respective NSP for a LDS manages all its subtendingIBS's and antenna sites. In the depicted example, a single LDS 140-2 andNSP 145-1 may serve multiple neighborhood zones, in this instance, HNZ105-1 and VNZ 115-1. The number of zones served by a single NSP need notbe limited to two but may comprise 3 or more.

Preferably, all NSP's are linked together for communication via, forexample, an IP-based LCS intranet or virtual private network (VPN)comprising of a router 165. During operation, the IP-based network isutilized for passing call and subscriber registration, mobilitymanagement and LCS Operation Administration & Maintenance (OA&M) relatedinformation. Also coupled via the IP-based intranet or VPN areconnections to an authentication center (AC) 190, to a LCS CustomerService Center (CSC) 160, a network management and operations center(not shown), and an operations support systems center (not shown).

Each NSP may have an associated intelligent database (ID). For example,intelligent database 146-1 is associated with NSP 145-1. The ID maystore LCS subscriber profiles, which includes information regarding eachLCS subscriber within the HNZ, such as subscribed features and/orcalling preferences. The ID also uses the information for communicationwith other ID's in the event the subscriber has roamed to a VNZ nothandled by the associated NSP. For example, in ID 146-1, there wouldexist subscriber profiles for all subscribers in neighborhood zones115-1 and 105-1.

The LCS Customer Service Center (LCS CSC) 160 may provide a human orautomated service representative interface to any potential or existingsubscriber. Typically, the LCS CSC may comprise a known servicerepresentative position system or voice response system. The LCS CSCsupports at least service registration of a MS from a retail locationand/or a subscriber, activation for subscribers to LCS service andadministration of service (for example, facility, trouble and billingqueries).

The LCS authentication center (AC) 190 may be a shared resource of theLCS network as is the LCS CSC 160. As will be further described herein,a subscriber to LCS may preserve their directory numbers (DN) if theydisconnect their wired PSTN number and connect to LCS service. The LCSAC 190 may utilize IS-136 cellular authentication voice encryption(CAVE) to assist in validating and authenticating subscribers and toprovide voice privacy and encryption capabilities. ACAC Gateway (GW) 170sits within the IP-based LCS intranet or VPN 110 and provides a TCP/IPdata link to the SS7 network 120. This IP-based network, as explainedabove, provides access to and interworks with the home location registerfor registration of MIN-based LCS subscribers for delivery of calls, forexample, from subscriber 150 to LCS subscribers within the neighborhoodzones 115-1, 115-2 and 105-1. The GW 170 is responsible for the TCP/IPto SS7/TCAP protocol conversion between the SS7 network and the LCSnetwork. The GW 170 is also responsible for global location managementon a per NSP 145 location basis, for example, MIN-based call delivery.The AC 190 supports registration of subscribers, over-the air activationand call hand-off.

For this invention, we use the radio frequency self-configurationalgorithm known in, e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 5,809,423 (issued Sep. 15,1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,787,352 (issued Jul. 28, 1998), U.S. Pat. No.5,740,536 (issued Apr. 14, 1998), U.S. Pat. No. 5,513,379 (issued Apr.30, 1996), U.S. Pat. No. 5,404,574 (issued Apr. 4, 1995), and U.S. Pat.No. 5,345,499 (issued Sep. 6, 1994), all issued to B. Mathilde et al.,and all hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. Thisalgorithm is designed to sniff and designate unused andinterference-free traffic and control channels (such as IS-136 DigitalTraffic Channels and digital control channels) from the publicmacrocellular network for use by an underlying/stacked cell use. Thealgorithm will also be able to detect when the public macrocellularnetwork begins to use these channels, and will automatically adjust byre-selecting another unused frequency. This algorithm greatly simplifiesthe radio frequency engineering and deployment processes. Without thisalgorithm, the LCS service will need to reserve radio frequenciesspecifically for LCS use.

The Intelligent Base Station (IBS) and Antenna Site

The intelligent base station (IBS) can be any currently existing radiobase station that is known in the art. The IBS should be capable ofperforming automatic frequency allocation functions, which are known inthe art. For this invention, the preferred embodiment further providesself-configuration in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,724,665. Otherpatents utilized in the design of IBS 130 include U.S. Pat. Nos.5,608,780; 5,592,470; 5,574,775 and 5,406,615. Referring to FIG. 2,there is shown a generalized software radio architecture for an IBS 130shown in FIG. 1. Line 201 may be an ISDN BRI line as shown or otherequivalent data line. Line 201, although not shown, may be coupled via aremote digital terminal 178 to a LDS 140 or directly to the switch perFIG. 1. Line 201 is connected to a communications processor ofprocessing module 270. Communications processor 272 handles all wireline interface control functions. The communications processor iscoupled to a network compatibility processing module for handlingincoming and outgoing calls requiring either LCS or DPCS or othernetwork compatibility. Main controller 274 is coupled to a source/errorcorrection coding/decoding module 230 and a channel coding module 240. Afrequency reference or clock 276 is divided to provide all the referencefrequencies needed by any other module including channel coding module240.

Associated with main controller 274 is variable memory 280, core programmemory 285 and critical parameter memory 290. Program executablesoftware and data are stored in variable memory 280. Boot code andcompressed executable code are stored in core program memory 285 andnon-volatile data are stored in critical parameter memory 290.

Network compatibility processing module 220 comprises a coding engine222 and a decoding engine 226. Source/error correction coding module 230comprises a digital signal processor 232 and coder algorithm forencoding and a digital signal processor 236 and decoder algorithm 236for decoding. The channel coding module 240 contains a digital signalprocessor 242 for interfacing with the radio frequency processor 250 andincludes a modulator/demodulator 244.

Radio signal processing module 250 contains a digital up converter 252and a digital down converter 254. When up converting, the output is fedvia a mixer 261 to an amplifier 262 for outputting via antenna 267 viafilter 263. On the antenna receive side, the received signal is fed viafilter 263 and amplifier 264 to mixer 265 and the result passed todigital down converter 254. Frequency synthesis circuit 266 providesfrequencies at whatever channel frequencies are utilized at a particularpoint in time.

Antenna 267 may be a sectorized antenna system in one embodimentcollecting and radiating energy in 800 MHZ and 1800 MHZ spectra or othersuitable spectra. Each zone 105-1 may comprise several such as threesectors or small cells such that an intra-cell hand-off may be required(as will be discussed in connection with FIG. 6a ).

Flexibility in Addressing a Subscriber

An LCS subscriber may elect to discontinue their current PSTN directorynumber (DN) and use that same number as their LCS address (i.e., LocalNumber Portability—LNP). Alternatively, the LCS subscriber may receive anew LCS directory number. A third option is for the LCS subscriber touse the mobile identification number (MIN) the subscriber may have as asubscriber to wireless cellular services or personal communicationsservices.

On the air interface side, in this embodiment, each IBS has 9 full-rateTDMA channels. Note: Number of full rate channels for the IBS should bemade as a variable for this patent, since the number of radio channelsper radio port can be designed according to different servicesapplications and coverage density requirements. IBS can provide as manyradio channels as long as it meets the design and service deploymentfinancial criteria. Among these channels, one full-rate channel will bedesignated as the Digital Control Channel (DCCH) and the remaining 8channels will be used as the Digital Traffic Channel (DTC). In order tosupport up to 8 simultaneous conversations, for instance, four ISDN-BRIlines may be used to connect the IBS 130 to the LDS 140 (FIG. 1).Therefore, an IBS with 8 DTCs can support up to 8 simultaneous calls.When a user subscribes to the LCS services as a DN-based user, thesubscriber will be given a DN during registration or service activation(that is, each DN is assigned with a TEI designated to an IBS) and theMS is in effect assigned to a specific IBS in the subscribed HNZ forcall delivery purposes. For example, subscriber 10 will be assigned toIBS 130-2.

Referring again to FIG. 1, since IBS 130 will be connected to an LCSlocal digital switch such as the No. 5 ESS or DMS-100 digital switch140, a DN based network switching element, the call routing between thelocal digital switch and the IBS must also be DN-based. The LCS servicemay use Cellular/DPCS RF infrastructure that is a MSC/MIN basedswitching platform. Therefore, these two different switching algorithmscreates alternative call delivery scenarios for LCS calls. Consider thefollowing LCS call delivery scenarios.

When a MIN-based LCS subscriber enters an LCS coverage area and receivesan incoming call, the local digital switch 140 will not deliver a MINbased call (that is, only an MSC does it). The local NSP, for example,NSP 145-1 dynamically assigns a DN that belongs to the IBS 130-2 that MS10 is currently registered to deliver the call.

When the PSTN delivers a call to a DN-based MS, the local digital switch140 routes the call to the IBS associated with that DN. If the MS isregistered with another IBS (which may be referred to as a Target-IBS orT-IBS which could be located in VNZ/HNZ) at that time, the IBS workswith the NSP and the local switch to transfer the incoming call to anNSP dynamically assigned DN supported by that T-IBS.

However, if these dynamically assigned DNs as described from the abovescenario are assigned previously to a subscriber as a permanent DN, thenthe LCS system will not immediately be able to deliver the incoming callfor lacking of the DN necessary for the local digital switch to processthe incoming call. Two out of the 8 DNs of each IBS's 4 ISDN/BRI lineswill be reserved for this purpose and used only for call processingpurposes by the local digital switch. These dynamically assigned DNsshould not be assigned to any subscriber. These dynamically assigned DNsfrom each IBS will be referred to herein as the call Forward DNs (FDNs).The FDNs will be used for MIN-based call delivery and DN-based roamingcapabilities. FDNs are transparent to the end-users; they are usedinternally by the LCS system. When the local digital switch delivers acall to a MIN-based or visiting DN-based MS, after the NSP locates theMS, the NSP assigns an FDN from the currently registered IBS to the MSin order for the local digital switch to terminate the call.

PSTN call delivery of DN-based mobiles can also occur using the AdvancedIntelligent Network. All DNs associated with DN-based mobiles havetriggers set on the local digital switch such that when the localdigital switch 140 receives the call, the switch requests additionalrouting instructions from the NSP. The NSP pages the MS to determine itscurrent location, T-IBS. If the MS is registered in its home IBS, theNSP directs the switch to complete the call to the DN. If the MS isregistered in another IBS, the NSP assigns an available FDN from T-IBSand directs the switch to forward the call to the T-IBS/FDN.

Numbering Schemes

As already introduced above, there exist three numbering options for LCSservices: 1) Use an existing cellular/DPCS MIN, 2) Use a new DN or 3)Use a ported ILEC DN (the subscriber's former wired PSTN servicetelephone number ported from the local exchange carrier).

Call routing differs slightly between a DN-based MS and a MIN-based MSbecause the MIN-based MS requires interaction with the HLR while theDN-based MS does not.

Numbering Scheme One: Mobile Identification Number

In this addressing scheme option, the new LCS subscriber is an existingwireless service (WS) customer and desires to keep the same MIN fortheir new LCS services. These subscribers will be identified in thisdocument as MIN-based LCS subscribers.

Numbering Scheme Two: LCS Service Provider Assigns New LCS PhoneDirectory Number

In this addressing scheme option, the new subscribers may or may nothave an existing IS-136 phone. However, a DN will be assigned by localservice representatives. The DN may be programmed into the IS-136 phonevia IS-136 based Over-the-air Activation Teleservice (OATS), describedsubsequently herein. These subscribers will be identified in thisdocument as DN-based LCS subscribers.

Numbering Scheme Three: Ported Local ILEC DN

LCS subscribers who give up their conventional wired service can porttheir existing residential landline phone numbers (i.e., from theirlocal exchange carrier, ILEC) to LCS services. The DN can be programmedinto the IS-136 phone via IS-136 based OATS. These subscribers will beidentified in this document also as DN-based LCS subscribers.

The Process of Actuating an LCS Subscriber

A new LCS subscriber may purchase MS apparatus at a retail outlet,preferably, an IS-136 compliant mobile station set with a display. Thesubscriber buys their phone at a retail outlet and the retail outletrecords the purchase in a service provider database, ID 146.Manufacturers may or may not provide retail outlets with secureinformation of the electronic manufacturer's serial number which issecret to the purchaser. A retailer may register a subscriber with achosen network service provider. The point-of-sale information mayinclude subscriber name, address, credit card number, home directorynumber (DN), unique electronic serial identification number (MSID),optional personal identification number (PIN) and other verificationnumber. Subscriber data will be referred to herein as a subscriberprofile preferably maintained at an NSP ID 146. The new subscriber thenmay alternatively or in addition dial a telephone number provided forcustomer service center (LCS CSC) 160 and is connected to a servicerepresentative or a voice interactive response unit known in the art topreregister for services. While a subscriber or retailer can dial from aretail outlet, causing the subscriber to call LCS CSC 160 provides anadditional validation of subscriber data as a subscriber profile isbuilt. For example, an ANI check can compare a point-of-sale entered DNagainst a dialed number recovered via ANI and reported at a CSC 160.Either the device or a service representative may welcome the newsubscriber's call and thank the new subscriber for subscribing to LCS.Either may then request of the subscriber their personal profile datafor verifying or completing their subscriber profile which may beverified by known processes with point-of-sale data. The new subscriberis requested to particularly select an option for addressing: 1) do theywish to disconnect their wired PSTN service and reuse the associated DN,2) obtain a new LCS number or 3) use their MIN from an existing mobilewireless service. The subscriber is also advised of the rate selectionopportunities and boundaries of neighborhood zones they may beinterested in.

The LCS CSC 160 then processes and temporarily stores all subscriberinformation in a subscriber profile of an NSP 145 including suchinformation as selected home neighborhood zone, visiting neighborhoodzone(s) they have subscribed to, calling features, the make and modeland electronic serial number of the subscriber's MS (MSID), ifavailable, personal identification number (PIN) and billing address andpayment information. The electronic manufacturer's serial number maycomprise, for example, less than 34 or 45 bits according to known MINand IMSI systems. The PIN should be of reasonable length, for example,not to exceed ten alphanumeric characters. All the related subscriberservice profile data will be populated into the LCS CSC database atregistration and communicated, for example, by the IP-based intranet orVPN to populate a database at LCS authentication center (AC) 190.Service profile data is also normally stored here which includes channelfrequency tables for, for example, 800 MHz or 1900 MHzservices/frequencies available in real time.

Once the new subscriber is validated and their profile completed, theLCS CSC 160 generates a unique data word that the subscriber will uselater to actuate service, referred to herein as a feature code. Also, apersonal identification number which may be of the new subscriber'schoice may be mutually agreed upon and stored. The feature code maypreferably comprise in combination a manufacturer's serial number, a PINand a unique sequence of bits, not to exceed a length permissible withinthe IS-136 OATS message. The unique bit sequence and PIN in combinationwill be given to the new subscriber so the subscriber may actuate theirLCS service automatically via a self-activating and authenticatingprocess to be referred to herein as over-the-air activation teleservice(OATS). The subscriber profile including PIN is further downloaded, in apreferred embodiment, via the IP-based intranet or VPN to intelligentdatabases 146 for their HNZ and any VNZ to which they have subscribed.For example, subscriber 10 may be a subscriber to HNZ 105-1, VNZ 115-1and VNZ 115-2. In such an instance, the subscriber profile will beprovided to intelligent databases 146-1 and 146-2.

Henceforth in the detailed description of the invention, callregistration, call processing and call hand-off features will bedescribed in FIGS. 3-7 with reference to generic elements, for example,switch 140 or specific elements such as switch 140-1 with no intentionto be limited by the use of the specific elements of FIG. 1. Theinvention is not limited by the specific arrangement of elements ofFIG. 1. However, the reader may find the specific references useful inunderstanding call processing functions from the viewpoint of oneexample of an LCS subscriber 10.

NAM Downloading and a Self-Actuating LCS Service (OATS)

In order for the subscriber to actuate their LCS service, they should bein their selected HNZ 105. For example, new subscriber MS 10 must be inthe boundaries of their HNZ 105-1. Subscriber 10 then turns on their MS10 and enters their unique bit sequence and/or PIN. (The PIN may be usedin a similar manner to the manner that PIN's are presently used inwireless services generally, namely, to promote call security andprevent service piracy and, consequently, may be optional). The preambleconsists of the MS locking onto the IBS 130-2, transmitting an IS-136Origination message including the feature code/PIN to the IBS 130-2 andIBS 130-2 forwarding the message via RDT 178, R-303 link 185, and localdigital switch 140-2 to its associated intelligent switch controller(NSP) 145-1. The MS 10 generates the feature code FC portion of themessage from the stored unique MSID, the unique bit sequence given thesubscriber (which they enter by using their phone keypad) and their PIN(also using the keypad). The order of bits in the FC should bepredetermined so that the FC can be decoded at the NSP. Since the ID146-1, after the subscriber registration process is completed, shouldhave the subscriber profile stored for that subscriber including theirfeature code, unique bit sequence and/or PIN, the NSP 145-1 validatesthe MS by comparing the entered feature code including PIN with datastored in the ID 146-1. A further validation may include the comparisonof a collected electronic serial number of the MS with an associateddatabase entry if obtainable from the manufacturer or the retail outletthat sold the phone. If there is no match of all or any of the two (orthree), a message may be returned to suggest the subscriber contact LCSCSC 160. After the NSP 145-1 verifies that the subscriber profile is inthe ID 146-1, it initiates OATS to activate the MS by sending theConfiguration Data Request message to the MS via IBS 130-2. The MSresponds with Configuration Data Response to the NSP 145-1 via IBS130-2. Altogether the preamble and the configuration data request andresponse comprise process step “a” shown in FIG. 3.

As shown in FIG. 3 step “b”, once a download request message is receivedby MS, a download response requesting a download is transmitted to NSP145-1. This message includes a request for the downloading of allalgorithms and data necessary for LCS service including a numberassignment module (NAM) giving the MS its subscriber opted-for address(MIN or DN). After the NSP receives the download response message, step“c” begins and a NAM commit request message is transmitted to the MS.This message instructs the MS to program/populate and commit adesignated number assignment module area of memory (NAM(x)) with thedownloaded data. If a subscriber decides to use their directory numberas the number to be called, NAM(x) will be designated for LCS DNprogramming, and likewise if the subscriber decides to use their MIN astheir reach number, NAM(x) will be designated for LCS MIN programming.Now the registration processes will be discussed for each of the optionsof MIN or DN based LCS service and when either must register in avisiting neighborhood zone to which the subscriber has subscribed. Theseprocesses are carried out in real-time.

Registration Process for a MIN-Based MS

Referring to FIG. 4a , there are shown steps “a”, “b”, “c” andassociated with registration processes for a MN-based subscriber intheir home neighborhood zone. In step “a”, the DCCH process consists ofIBS 130 broadcasting system-wide and IBS 130 specific parameters (suchas system and IBS 130 identification) on its DCCH and the MS 10 lockingonto the DCCH when the MS 10 powers up. The MS 10 sends an IS-136registration message to the IBS 130. IBS 130 forwards the registrationmessage to its associated NSP 145 via the LDS local switch 140. Thismessage contains IS-136 registration data.

In step “b” the home zone NSP 145 checks the MS's status with itsIntelligent Database (ID) 146 and determines that the MS is a validMIN-based LCS service subscriber. Since the MS is MIN-based, NSP mustinteract with the WS HLR for the registration process. If the optionalMS authentication is required (this is determined by the LCS serviceprovider and indicated to the MS 10 as one of the DCCH broadcastparameters), the MS IS-136 Registration message will include theauthentication information. The NSP 145 will initiate the authenticationprocedure with LCS AC 190 by sending an authentication message viarouter 165. The NSP 145 sends an IP-based message containing IS-41-likeauthentication information to the LCS AC. After successfulauthentication of the MS, the LCS AC sends an IP-based IS-41-likeauthreq message back to the NSP 145.

In step “c”, after successful MS authentication, or if no authenticationis required, NSP 145 must register the MS 10 by sending a registrationmessage to the WS HLR 175-2 via gateway 170 to update the MS's newlocation for call delivery purposes. The NSP 145 sends a TCP/IP-basedmessage containing IS41-like registration information to the TCP/IP toSS7 Gateway (GW) 170. The GW 170 receives the registration message whichalso includes the NSP's unique IP address, translates the message intoan SS7/TCAP/IS41 REGNOT message and sends it to the HLR 175-2.

After a successful registration, the HLR 175-2 sends an SS7/TCAP/IS-41regnot message back to the GW 170. The GW receives the IS-41 regnotmessage, translates the message into a TCP/IP based registration acceptreq accept message. Since the GW 170 stores each NSP 145 unique IPaddress based on information gathered during MS registration message,the GW sends the registration accept req accept message back to NSP 145based on the NSP's unique IP address. The NSP 145 processes theregistration accept req accept message and sends it to the IBS 130. NSP145 notes that the mobile is successfully registered and active.

In step “d”, the IBS 130 sends an IS-136 Reg. Accept message to the MS10 to complete the MS registration procedures.

There are two possibilities when a MIN-based MS 10 registers in a VNZ115. The first one is where the VNZ and the HNZ are covered by the sameNSP (cell 101-2 in FIG. 1 comprising HNZ 105-1 and VNZ 115-1). Thesecond is where the VNZ and the HNZ are covered by different NSPs (HNZ105-1 and VNZ 115-2). As far as the LCS system is concerned, bothMIN-based registration signaling flows are the same as discussed in theprevious section (MIN-based MS registered in the HNZ). The HLR 175-2 isupdated when the latest registration location occurs regardless ofwhether the MS 10 is in the HNZ or the VNZ.

Registration Process for a DN-Based MS

Referring to FIG. 4b , there is depicted the signaling flow scenario ofan MS that uses an assigned directory number (DN) or a ported ILEC DN asthe number to be used in the subscribed-to neighborhood LCS zones. Sincethe MS is DN-based, there is no requirement for interaction with an HLR175-2 during registration. During service activation, the subscriber'sprofile is downloaded to every NSP/ID that covers the subscribed-tozones, the HNZ and any subscribed-to VNZs. The subscriber has alreadyactivated the LCS service via OATS.

The signaling flow shown in FIG. 4b describes the scenario where aDN-based MS 10 registers that requires just two steps “a” and “b”. Instep “a” the DCCH process consists of HIBS 130 broadcasting system-wideand H-IBS 130 specific parameters (such as system and HIBS 130identification) on its DCCH and the MS locking onto the DCCH when the MSpowers up. The MS sends an IS-136 registration message to the home zoneH-IBS 130. The H-IBS 130 forwards the registration message to the H-NSP145 via the LDS 140. This message contains IS-136 registration data.

In step “b” the H-NSP 145 checks the MS's status with the IntelligentDatabase (ID) 146 which already has the subscriber profile, determinesthat the MS 10 is a valid DN-based LCS subscriber. If the optionalauthentication procedure is required (as determined by the LCS serviceprovider), the H-NSP 145 sends an IS-41-like AUTHREQ message in IPformat to the LCS Authentication Center (AC) 190 in order toauthenticate the mobile. When the authentication is successful, the AC190 returns an authentication response message auth-req to the H-NSP145. The H-NSP 145 sends the reg. accept message to the H-IBS 130. TheH-IBS 130 sends an IS-136 Reg. Accept message to the MS to complete theMS registration procedures.

When a LCS subscriber roams or otherwise moves to a subscribed-tovisiting zone, as far as the subscriber is concerned, the same DN numberwill be used for all call delivery (i.e., roaming-like situation). Adynamically assignable FDN, described previously, is used to terminatethe call.

Referring to FIG. 4c , three steps are required to process aregistration of a DN-based MS 10 in a VNZ. In step “a” the DCCH processconsists of V-IBS 130-3 broadcasting system-wide and V-IBS 130-3specific parameters (such as system and V-IBS 130 identification) on itsDCCH and the MS locking onto the DCCH when the DN-based MS powers up.The MS 10 sends an IS-136 registration message to the visited V-IBS 130.V-IBS 130, for example, V-IBS 130-3, forwards the REG. REQUEST messageto the V-NSP 145-2 via the LCS local switch 140-1. This message containsIS-136 registration data.

In step “b” the V-NSP 145-2 checks the MS's status with the IntelligentDatabase ID 146-2 which has the subscriber profile previously downloadedby the LCS CSC 160 and determines that the MS is a valid DN-based LCSsubscriber. The V-NSP 145-2 sends an IS-41-like authreq message in IPformat to the AC 190 for subscriber authentication. The AC 190 validatesthe subscriber with its internal database and returns an authreqresponse message back to the V-NSP 145-2.

In step “c” the V-NSP 145-2 sends a registration notification message toH-NSP 145-1 to indicate the new location of the MS for proper deliveryof incoming calls to the MS. The H-NSP 145-1 records the current MSlocation as being in a subscribed-to visiting zone 115-2. The H-NSP145-1 sends a reg. notification response message to the V-NSP 145-2. Inreturn, the V-NSP 145-2 sends registration accept message to the V-IBS130-3. V-IBS 130-3 sends an IS-136 Reg. Accept message to the visitingMS to complete the registration process.

Call Delivery to an LCS Subscriber

Call processing of a call to or from a subscriber visiting aneighborhood zone involves the utilization of one, two or more reservedforwarding directory numbers (FDN's) in the visited zone. For example,the subscriber MS 10 that visits VNZ 115-2 will be dynamically assignedone of these reserved FDN's while they are in the visited zone. Thesesame FDN's may be used by another subscriber when that subscriber visitsthe zone from their home zone after the first subscriber no longer needsit.

The call delivery process from an originating switch in the PSTN 100 toa MIN-based LCS subscriber are shown in FIG. 5a . To the extentpossible, similar reference characters are borrowed from FIG. 1 torepresent similar elements for an incoming call to subscriber MS 10.Process step “a” takes the incoming call request to the home zone NSP145-1. PSTN 100 processes the MN-based incoming call and sends an ISUPInitial Address Message (IAM) to a PSTN-based MSC 180. The MSC 180provides services and coordination between mobile users in the publiccellular network and between the mobile users and the external networksuch as PSTN 100. When a PSTN user dials a MIN, the PSTN LDS will alwaysroute the call to the MSC switch for call delivery. One way to look atthe phone networks including PSTN 100, public cellular network and LCSis that all the switches from each network are fully connected and theyall have connections to the Common Signaling Network Number 7 (SS7). TheMobile Switching Center, MSC 180, provides switching functions for thecellular network and coordinates the establishments of calls to and fromcellular/DPCS subscriber. The MSC interfaces with the cellularnetwork(s) and the public switch networks. Since the MSC does not havethe MIN-based user currently registered, the MSC sends a SS7/TCAPfIS-41location request (LOCREQ) message to HLR 175-2. The HLR 175-2 knows thecurrent registration location of the MIN-based MS because of priorregistration notification from the home zone NSP (H-NSP) 145-1 via thegateway (GW) 170. HLR 175-2 sends a SS7/TCAP/IS-41 route request(ROUTREQ) message to the H-NSP 145-1 via the GW 170 for routinginstructions to the MS 10. The GW 170 translates the message to an IPmessage and sends it to the H-NSP 145-1 (ROUTE REQ (MIN)). Thiscompletes process step “a”.

Process step “b” involves letting the MSC 180 know the result. The H-NSP145-1 verifies that the MS 10 is still registered in the home zone andis presently idle. H-NSP 145-1 reserves an available forward directorynumber (FDN) and a B-channel for its transmission in the home zone IBS(H-IBS) 130-2. Then, H-NSP 145-1 returns a route request responsemessage including the reserved FDN to the GW 170. If no FDN isavailable, of course, the H-NSP 145-1 rejects the request. Continuing afavorable call-completion scenario, the GW 170 translates the IP messageto a SS7/TCAP/IS-41 routreq response message and sends it to the HLR175-2. This completes process “b”.

Process step “c” takes the call from HLR 175-2 to a set-up request ofH-IBS 130-2. The HLR returns the reserved FDN information in the IS-41TCAP locreq response message to the MSC. The MSC 180 initiates callsetup by sending an ISUP IAM message to the LDS 140-2 based on the FDN.The LDS 140-2 sends a Q.931 call setup message to the H-IBS 130-2 basedon the reserved DN. This concludes process “c”.

Process step “d” relates to acknowledgment. The H-IBS 130-2 sends a callrequest message to the H-NSP 145-1 to validate the call request. Note:H-NSP 145-1 may initiate IS-136 authentication procedure when necessary.The H-NSP 145-1 uses the ID database 146-1 to locate the record ofFDN-to-MIN mapping to validate the call. If the request is valid and RFresources are available, H-NSP 145-1 will reserve a digital trafficchannel (DTC) for call delivery. H-NSP 145-1 then sends a call requestack message with the MIN, DTC, and B-channel (reserved when the FDN wasassigned to the call) to the H-IBS 130-2. If the call request is notvalid or no resources are available, the H-NSP 145-1 will return a callrequest nack (stands for negative acknowledgment) and the H-IBS 130-2will release the call. This concludes process “d”.

In process step “e”, the H-IBS 130-2 starts to page the MIN-based MS 10.H-NSPH-IBS (Note: The IS-136 MS paging process is as follows: the H-IBS130-2 broadcasts an IS-136 page for the MIN-based MS 10. The MS 10 mustrespond with an IS-136 page response message within a specified timeperiod. If the MS 10 does not respond, the H-IBS 130-2 will release thecall.) After the MS 10 successfully responds to the page, the H-IBS130-2 sends a Q.931 call proceeding message to the LDS 140-2.

In process step “f”, the H-IBS 130-2 sends a DTC designation message tothe MS 10 and verifies the MS is on the DTC by monitoring the returningDVCC code status change. After the MS 10 locks onto the DTC (DVCC statuschange), the H-IBS 130-2 sends an IS-136 alert with info message to theMS 10 to initiate a ringing indication to the user. H-IBS 130-2 alsosends a Q.931 alert message to the LDS 140-2. The LDS 140-2 sends anISUP address complete message (ACM) to the MSC to complete theend-to-end call connection. The MSC 180 sends an ISUP ACM message to thePSTN 100.

Process step “g” is similar to a cellular/DPCS connect process. The LDS140-2 generates alerting (ring back tone) to the originating user. Whenthe MIN-based user 10 picks up the call and the MS 10 sends an IS-136connect message to the H-IBS 130-2, the H-IBS 130-2 sends a Q.931connect message to the LDS 140-2. The LDS 140-2 sends an ISUP addressanswer message (ANM) to the MSC. The MSC 180 sends an ISUP ANM messageto the PSTN switch 140-3, the PSTN switch 140-3 connects the caller andthus the voice path is established and completes the call deliveryprocess.

Call Delivery to a DN-Based Subscriber, the DN being Assigned for LCS

FIG. 5b describes the signaling flow scenario of a PSTN caller dialingthe LCS subscriber's DN when the DN is registered with the H-IBS in theHNZ. In step “a” an originating PSTN switch (somewhere in PSTN 100)processes the DN-based incoming call and sends an ISUP IAM message tothe HNZ LP (H-LDS) 140-2 based on the DN dialed. The H-LDS 140-2 sends aQ.931 call setup message to the H-IBS 130-2 based on the DN dialed. TheH-IBS 130-2 sends a CALL REQUEST message to the H-NSP 145-1 to validatethe call request. The H-NSP 145-1 may initiate an authenticationprocedure with an AC 190 when and if necessary.

In step “b” the H-NSP 145-1 validates the call by searching the ID 146-1and discovers that the MS 10 is registered in its home IBS, H-IBS 130-2.If the request is valid and resources are available, H-NSP 145-1 willreserve a DTC and a B-channel. H-NSP 145-1 then sends a call request ackmessage with the resource information to the H-IBS 130-2. H-IBS 130-2starts to page the DN-based MS. If the call request is not valid or noresources are available, the H-NSP 145-1 will return a call request nackand the H-IBS 130-2 will reject the call.

The IS-136 MS paging process is as follows: the H-IBS 130-2 broadcastsan IS-136 page for the DN-based MS. The MS 10 must respond with anIS-136 page response within a specified time period. If the MS 10 doesnot respond, the H-IBS 130-2 will release the call.

After successfully paging the MS, the H-IBS 130-2 then sends a Q.931call proceeding message to the H-LDS 140-2. This connects the B-channelto the H-LDS 140-2.

In step “c” the H-IBS 130-2 sends a DTC designation message to the MSand verifies the MS is on the DTC by monitoring the returning DVCC codestatus change.

In step “d” after the MS locks onto the DTC (DVCC status change), theH-IBS 130-2 sends an IS-136 alert with info message to the MS toinitiate ringing indication to the user. It also sends a Q.931 alertmessage to the LDS, H-LDS 140-2. The H-LDS 140-2 sends an ISUP addresscomplete message (ACM) to the PSTN switch to complete the end-to-endconnection. The H-LDS 140-2 generates alerting (ringback tone) to theoriginating user.

In step “e” when the DN-based MS user picks up the call, the MS sends anIS-136 connect message to the H-IBS 130-2. The H-IBS 130-2 sends a Q.931connect message to the H-LDS 140-2. The H-LDS 140-2 sends an ISUPaddress answer message (ANM) to the PSTN switch, the PSTN switchconnects the caller and thus the voice path is established, completingthe incoming call delivery process.

The called MS's DN may be registered with a visited V-NSP, for example,V-NSP 145-2 in the VNZ 115-2. Referring to FIG. 5c , step “a” theoriginating PSTN switch processes the DN based incoming call by sendingan ISUP Initial Address Message (IAM) to the H-LDS 140-2 based on the DNdialed. The H-LDS 140-2 sends a Q.931 call setup message to the H-IBS130-2 based on the DN dialed. The H-IBS 130-2 sends a CALL REQUESTmessage to the H-NSP 145-1 to validate the call request. The H-NSP 145-1may initiate authentication procedure when necessary with AC 190.

In step “b” the H-NSP 145-1 validates the call by searching the ID 146-1and discovers that the MS is currently registered in a subscribed-to VNZ(V-NSP) 115-2. Consequently, H-NSP 145-1 sends an IS-41-like ROUTREQmessage in IP format to the V-NSP 145-2 for routing instructions to theDN-based MS. The V-NSP 145-2 confirms via ID 146-2 that the MS is stillregistered and idle in V-IBS 130-3. It reserves an available FDN fromV-IBS 130-3, and returns a route request response message including FDNto the H-NSP 145-1. The V-NSP 145-2 also reserves a B-channel for theFDN. If no FDNs are available, V-NSP 145-2 rejects the call whichultimately results in rejecting the call to the originating user. TheH-NSP 145-1 sends call req ack to the H-IBS 130-2 with an indication toforward the call to the FDN from V-NSP 145-2.

In step “c” the H-IBS 130-2 sends a Q.932 facility message to the H-LDS140-2 to reroute the call to the forward FDN. The H-LDS 140-2 sends thefacility return result in a disconnect message for response to thefacility invoke message to the H-IBS 130-2; on receipt of the disconnectmessage, the H-IBS 130-2 sends a release message to the H-LDS 140-2, andthe H-LDS 140-2 sends a release complete message in return. Immediatelyafter sending the disconnect message, the H-LDS 140-2 sends an ISUP IAMmessage to the V-LDS 140-1 based on the FDN.

In step “d” the V-LDS 140-1 now has the call. The V-LDS 140-1 sends aQ.931 call setup message to the V-IBS 130-3 based on the FDN. The V-IBS130-3 sends a call request message to the V-NSP 145-2 to validate thecall request. The V-NSP 145-2 may initiate authentication procedureswith AC 190 when necessary. The V-NSP 145-2 uses the ID 146-2 databaseto locate the record of FDN-to-DN mapping to validate the call. If therequest is valid, and RF resources are available, the V-NSP 145-2reserves the RF resource, the DTC, for call delivery. The V-NSP 145-2then sends a call request ack message with the DTC and B-channel(reserved when the FDN was assigned to the call) to the V-IBS 130-3. TheV-IBS 130-3 starts to page the DN-based MS (the paging process isdescribed above in respect to FIG. 5b , step “b”). If the call requestwas not valid or if no resources are available, the V-NSP 145-2 willreturn a call req nack and the V-IBS 130-3 will release the call. TheV-IBS 130-3 sends a Q.931 call proceeding message to the V-LDS 140-1after successfully paging the MS. This connects the B-channel to theV-LDS 140-1.

In step “e” the V-IBS 130-3 sends a DTC designation message to the MSand verifies the MS is on the DTC by monitoring the returning DVCC codestatus change. After the MS locks onto the DTC (DVCC code statuschange), the V-IBS 130-3 sends an IS-136 alert with info message to theMS to indicate ringing to the user. The V-IBS 130-3 also sends a Q.931alert message to the V-LDS 140-1. The V-LDS 140-1 sends an ISUP addresscomplete message (ACM) to the H-LDS 140-2 and the H-LDS 140-2 sends anISUP ACM message to the PSTN 100 to complete the end-to-end connection.The V-LDS 140-1 generates alerting (ringback tone) to the originatinguser.

In step “f” when the DN-based visiting subscriber picks up the call, theMS sends an IS-136 connect message to the V-IBS 130-3. The V-IBS 130-3sends a Q.931 connect message to the V-LDS 140-1. The V-LDS 140-1 sendsan ISUP address answer message (ANM) to the H-LDS 140-2 and the H-LDS140-2 sends an ISUP ANM message to the PSTN switch. The PSTN switchconnects the caller and thus the new VNZ voice path is established.

Call Delivery to a DN-Based Subscriber, the DN being a Ported Numberfrom ILEC

FIG. 5d describes the signaling flow scenario of a PSTN caller dialingthe DN-based LCS subscriber when the called MS's DN is a ported numberfrom ILEC. As already described, LCS subscribers may carry theirexisting residential landline phone numbers to the subscribed HNZ forLCS services. The MS is registered with the H-IBS 130-2 in the HNZ105-1. In step “a” the originating PSTN switch receives a call with aported DN; so the PSTN switch sends a TCAP LRN REQUEST message to theSTP for a 6-digit LRN Global Tide Translation (GTT) for call routinginformation. The STP performs GTT on the DN to determine the point codeof the appropriate SCP database and sends a TCAP LRN routing instructionrequest to the SCP. The SCP's LRN application does 10-digit translationto determine the LRN of the terminating office and sends an LRN replymessage to the originating PSTN switch based on the originating pointcode in the incoming message. The STP forwards the LRN reply to the PSTNswitch without changing any protocol elements.

In step “b” the originating PSTN switch receives the LRN reply message,processes the message and uses the information for call routing. ThePSTN switch sends an ISUP LAM message to the HNZ LDS (H-LDS) 140-2 basedon the LRN reply. The H-LDS 140-2 sends a Q.931 call setup message tothe H-IBS 130-2 based on DN.

In step “c” the H-IBS 130-2 sends a CALL REQUEST message to the H-NSP145-1 to validate the call request. The H-NSP 145-1 may initiate anauthentication procedure with AC 190 when necessary. The H-NSP 145-1validates the call request by searching the ID 146-1 and discovers thatthe MS is currently registered in its H-IBS 130-2. If the request isvalid and resources are available, H-NSP 145-1 will reserve the DTC andthe B-channel. H-NSP 145-1 then sends a call request ack message withthe resource information to the H-IBS 130-2. H-IBS 130-2 starts to pagethe DN-based MS. If the call request is not valid or no resources areavailable, the H-NSP 145-1 will return a call request nack and the H-IBS130-2 will reject the call. The IS-136 MS paging process has alreadybeen described above.

In step “d” the H-IBS 130-2 sends a Q.931 call proceeding message to theH-LDS 140-2 after successfully paging the MS. This connects theB-channel to the H-LDS 140-2. The H-IBS 130-2 sends a DTC designationmessage to the MS and verifies the MS is on the DTC by monitoring thereturning DVCC code status change. After the MS locks onto the DTC (DVCCstatus change), the H-IBS 130-2 sends an IS-136 alert with info messageto the MS to indicate ringing to the user. H-IBS 130-2 also sends aQ.931 alert message to the H-LDS 140-2. The H-LDS 140-2 sends an ISUPaddress complete message (ACM) to the originating PSTN switch tocomplete the end-to-end connection.

In step “e” the H-LDS 140-2 generates the alerting (ring back tone) tothe originating user. When the DN-based MS user picks up the call, theMS sends a IS-136 connect message to the H-IBS 130-2. The H-IBS 130-2sends a Q.931 connect message to the H-LDS 140-2. The H-LDS 140-2 sendsan ISUP address answer message (ANM) to the PSTN switch, the PSTN switchconnects the caller and thus the voice path is established, completingthe call delivery process.

The MS with a DN carried from a local exchange carrier (LEC) may beregistered in the VNZ, for example, VNZ 115-2. Referring to FIG. 5e ,step “a” the originating PSTN switch receives a call with a ported DNand the PSTN switch sends a TCAP LRN REQUEST message to the STP for a6-digit LRN Global Title Translation (OTT) for call routing information.The STP performs GTT on the DN to determine the point code of theappropriate SCP database and sends a TCAP LRN routing instructionrequest to the SCP. The SCP's LRN application does a 10-digittranslation to determine the LRN of the terminating office, sends a LRNreply message to the PSTN switch based on the originating point code inthe incoming message. The STP forwards the LRN reply to PSTN switchwithout changing any protocol elements.

In step “b” the originating PSTN switch receives the LRN reply message,processes the message and uses the information for call routing. ThePSTN switch sends an ISUP JAM message to the HNZ LDS (H-LDS) 140-2 basedon LRN reply. The H-LDS 140-2 sends a Q.931 setup message to the H-IBS130-2 based on the DN. The H-IBS 130-2 sends a CALL REQUEST message tothe H-NSP 145-1 to validate the call.

In step “c” the H-NSP 145-1 validates the call by searching the ID146-1, and discovers that the MS is registered in a subscribed VNZ(V-NSP) 115-2. It sends an IS-41-like ROUTREQ message in IP format tothe V-NSP 145-2 for routing instructions to the DN-based MS. The V-NSP145-2 verifies via the ID 146-2 that the MS is still registered and isidle in V-IBS 130-3. It reserves an available FDN from V-IBS 130-3, andreturns a route request response message including FDN to the H-NSP145-1. The V-NSP 145-2 also reserves a B-channel for the FDN. If no FDNsare available, the V-NSP 145-2 rejects the call which ultimately resultsin rejecting the call to the originating user.

In step “d” the H-NSP 145-1 sends a call req ack message to the H-IBS130-2 with an indication to forward the call to the FDN from the V-NSP145-2. The H-IBS 130-2 sends a Q.932 facility message to the H-LDS 140-2to reroute the call to the DN-based MS using FDN. The H-LDS 140-2 sendsthe facility return result in a disconnect message for response to thefacility invoke message to the H-IBS 130-2; on receipt of the disconnectmessage, the H-IBS 130-2 sends a release message to the H-LDS 140-2, andH-LDS 140-2 sends a release complete message in return. Immediatelyafter sending the disconnect message, the H-LDS 140-2 sends an ISUP IAMmessage to the V-LDS 140-1 based on the FDN.

In step “e” the V-LDS 140-1 now has the call. V-LDS 140-1 sends a Q.931setup message to the V-IBS 130-3 based on the FDN. The V-IBS 130-3 sendsa call request message to the V-NSP 145-2 to validate the call. Asbefore, the VH-NSP 145-2 may initiate authentication procedures via anauthentication center when and if necessary. The V-NSP 145-2 uses the IDdatabase 146-2 to locate the record of FDN-to-DN mapping to validate thecall. If the request is valid and resources are available, V-NSP 145-2will reserve the DTC and the B-channel (reserved when the FDN wasassigned to the call). V-NSP 145-2 then sends a call request ack messagewith the resource information to the V-IBS 130-3. V-IBS 130-3 starts topage the DN-based MS. If the call request is not valid or no resourcesare available, the V-NSP 145-2 will return a call request nack and theV-IBS 130-3 will reject the call. Briefly, the IS-136 MS paging processis as follows: the V-IBS 130-3 broadcasts an IS-136 page for theDN-based MS. The MS must respond with an IS-136 page response within aspecified time period. If the MS does not respond, the V-IBS 130-3 willrelease the call. The V-IBS 130-3 sends a Q.931 call proceeding messageto the V-LDS 140-1 after successfully paging the MS. This connects theB-channel to the V-LDS 140-1.

In step “f” the V-IBS 130-3 sends a DTC designation message to the MSand verifies the MS is on the DTC by monitoring the returning DVCC codestatus change. After the MS locks onto the DTC (DVCC status change), theV-IBS 130-3 sends an IS-136 alert with info message to the MS toindicate ringing to the user. It also sends a Q.931 alert message to theV-LDS 140-1. The V-LDS 140-1 sends an ISUP address complete message(ACM) to the H-LDS 140-2, and the H-LDS 140-2 sends an ISUP ACM messageto the PSTN 100 originating switch to complete the end-to-endconnection. The V-LDS 140-1 generates the alerting (ring back tone) tothe originating user.

In step “g” when the DN-based visiting subscriber picks up the call, theMS sends an IS-136 connect message to the V-IBS 130-3. The V-IBS 130-3sends a Q.931 connect message to the V-LDS 140-1. The V-LDS 140-1 sendsan ISUP address answer message (ANM) to the H-LDS 140-2. The H-LDS 140-2sends an ISUP ANM message to the PSTN switch. The PSTN switch connectsthe caller and thus the new voice path is established.

Advanced Intelligent Network triggers may also be used for call deliveryfor DN based MS. The LCS subscriber's DN is provisioned for the AINTermination Attempt Trigger (TAT) in the serving LDS. When a call isdelivered to the LDS for the subscriber's DN, the TAT is encountered andthe LDS sends a call treatment query message to the NSP. The NSP locatesthe mobile in their serving IBS and reserves an FDN in this IBS. NSPthen directs the LDS 140 to deliver the call to the MS based on the FDN.

Referring to FIG. 5f , step “a”, a PSTN user dials a LCS subscriber'sDN. The LDS 140 receives the ISUP LAM message from PSTN. The incomingcall to a TAT provisioned DN directs the LDS 140 to request for routinginstructions from H-NSP. H-NSP finds that the subscriber's MS is activein an IBS, and pages the MS 10.

In step “b”, after the MS 10 responds to the page, H-NSP directs LDS toforward the call to the FDN of the serving IBS.

In step “c”, LDS 140 sends Q.931 Setup message to the IBS. IBS sendsDigital Traffic Channel (DTC) Designation message to MS 10 and sendsQ.931 Call Proceeding message to the LDS. MS tunes to the trafficchannel. IBS then detects the MS is on the traffic channel via DVCCstatus change. IBS 130 alerts the MS 10 and the MS 10 acknowledges.

In step “d”, H-IBS-2 130 sends ISDN Alerting message to LDS 140. LDS 140sends an ISUP ACM message to the PSTN 100 and an alerting ringback tothe calling mobile station. When the MS answers, IBS 130-2 sends a Q.931Connect message to LDS 140. LDS 140 then sends an ISUP ANM message toPSTN 100 and cuts through the voice path.

The Intra-Cell Mobile Assisted HandOff (MAHO)

There are two handoffs possible in LCS service: an intra-cell mobileassisted hand-off (MAHO) and an inter-cell hand-off (for example, froman HNZ 105-1 to a VNZ 115-1 via a buffer zone). This section describesthe end-to-end signaling flow scenario of Mobile Assisted HandOff (MAHO)between different RF channels within an IBS such as IBS 130-2 or cellsuch as home neighborhood zone (HNZ) 105-1.

In this invention, the preferred method is to use the radio frequencyself-configuration algorithms as described above, which may beimplemented in the LCS network system to utilize the available RFchannels that are not used by the primary macro-cellular system(represented by WS cell 101-2 in FIG. 1) for intra-cell hand-off.However, such a radio frequency self-configuration is an option and notmandatory for this invention.

When the LCS system does use a radio frequency self configurationalgorithm, whenever the primary system starts to use the same RFchannel, the radio in the LCS system and the active user may be requiredto move to another RF channel through the assistance of the RFself-configuration subsystem. As already described, each zone in a LCSsystem preferably has only one IBS 130. Once a RF channel is determinedas noisy (e.g., from data received signal strength, RSSI, and/or the biterror rate), all the TDMA time slots within the channel may beconsidered to be noisy. In the intra-cell handoff scenario, therefore,all the active mobile stations using the noisy channel would re-tune toa new frequency.

Intra-cell handoff is attempted when the BER is high (bad) and the RSSIis good. (The threshold values for the BER and the RSSI may be providedby the RF Self-configuration subsystem). Upon receiving the request fromthe IBS 130 when handoff is needed, the RF Self-configuration subsystemmay perform a calculation and return a new carrier frequency to the IBS130 and the active MSs to re-tune to, or it may return a reject messagewhen no carrier is available. If a new channel is available, the IBS 130must re-tune to that new channel before the MS 10 does.

When no new channel is available for the intra-cell handoff (i.e., theintra-cell handoff attempt has failed) but the RSSI from a neighboringIBS 130 is acceptable, the LCS system may attempt to handoff the activeMSs to the neighboring IBS (V-IBS) 130 through intra-NSP handoffprocedures (described in the next section).

If no channel is available for the handoff and the RSSI and BERmeasurement results of the current channel reach threshold values, thecall may be dropped. The MS 10 may be capable of performing the IS-136channel measurement (RSSI and BER) procedures. Units of RF measurementused by the MS 10 can be normalized by the IBS 130 if they are notconsistent with IBS RF measurement units. DTX Control is disabled(Discontinuous Transmission not supported). The IS-136 Channel Qualitymessages are sent over the SACCH.

The carrier channels may always be turned on even when the channel isnot currently used by any MS. Therefore, it is possible for the MS 10 toperform channel measurement on these channels. No reconfiguration of theISDN connection as a result of the intra-cell handoff is necessary.

Referring to FIG. 6a , step “a” an active call between the MS 10 and thePSTN user (or another MS user) involving an LDS (for example, LDS 140-2)and an IBS, such as IBS 130-2 is in progress using air interface channelA.

In step “b” the RF Self-configuration subsystem in the IBS 130-2performs an RF Self-configuration algorithm and exchanges informationwith other IBSs (in the present example, IBS 130-1) in the subscribed-tozones.

In step “c” based on the information collected by the algorithm the RFSelf-configuration the subsystem determines which RF channels have to bemeasured by the MS. The IBS 130-2 sends the Measurement order (over theFACCH) to the registered MS 10. The MS 10 acknowledges the instructionby sending the Measurement order ACK message back to the IBS 130-2 (overthe FACCH). The MS 10 follows the MAHO procedures defined in theIS-136.2 specification and sends channel quality message to the IBS 130(over the SACCH) in response to the Measurement order message.

In step “d” when the IBS 130-2 detects an intra-cell handoff conditionbased on the received channel quality message (i.e., BER and RSSI), theIBS 130-2 sends an intra-cell handoff request for a new channel to theRF Self-configuration subsystem. The subsystem performs a calculationand/or sends a new carrier frequency information to the IBS 130-2. Uponreceiving the information, the IBS 130-2 sends a handoff command, inaccordance with the IS-136.2 specification, to the MS (over the FACCH)requesting the MS to re-tune to a new RF channel (along with otherchannel assignment information). Handoff ACK is sent by the MS (over theFACCH). Responsive to receiving the acknowledgment from the MS, the IBS130-2 re-tunes to the new RF (channel B).

In step “e” the MS turns off its transmitter, adjusts its power level,tunes to a new RF channel b, sets stored DVCC to the DVCC informationelement of the handoff message, sets the transmit and receive rate tothat indicated by the Rate information element, and sets the time slotto that indicated by the Timeslot Indicator information element. Oncesynchronized, the MS turns on its transmitter. The IBS 130-2 thendetects that the MS 10 is on the new channel via DVCC status change.Upon detecting the MS 10 on new channel, the IBS 130-2 sends HandoffResult messages to the NSP 145-1. The handoff is completed, and the callcontinues.

An Intra-NSP Inter-Cell MAHO (HNZ to Contiguous VNZ or VNZ to ContiguousVNZ))

When an active call is in progress, the MS measures theneighboring-setup channels and the current active channel for RSSI andBER among other things. These IS-136 Channel Quality measurements helpthe system determine if the MAHO procedure is necessary to preserve thecall. Furthermore, in order to perform a smooth, lossless handoffbetween the IBSs, LCS uses the Directed Call Pickup (DPU) with Barge-infeature of the LDS 140. DPU establishes a three-way call withoutdisturbing the current call.

Referring to FIG. 6b , step “a” a mobile station is on an active call.H-IBS 130-2 directs the MS to start the channel quality of theneighboring control channels and the current channel. The MSacknowledges the order and starts sending the IS-136 Channel Qualitymessages.

In step “b”, when H-IBS₀ 130-2 detects a handoff condition based on thereceived channel quality messages (a low threshold value is reached),the H-IBS₀ 130-2 sends a handoff request message. This message includesa priority list of the neighboring IBSs (V-IBS) such as V-IBS_(n) 130-1along with the serving mobile MSID to the H-NSP 145-1. H-IBS₀ 130-2 alsostarts the handoff request timer (T1). Once the H-NSP 145-1 receives thehandoff request message, the HNSP 145-1 will start at the top of theneighboring IBS (V-IBS) list and check the radio channel and B-channelavailability of each entry. When an available neighboring IBS (V-IBS),such as V-IBS_(n) 130-1 is found, H-NSP 130-2 will request the V-IBS_(n)130-1 to prepare for a handoff for the MS (MSID) and starts timer T2. Inresponse, the V-IBS_(n) 130-1 will reserve the B-channel and the RFresources and start to initiate a three-way call using the directed callpickup with barge-in. IBS_(n) sends a Q.931 Setup message to LDS 140-2that includes a feature activation code for DPU and the DN for the IBS130 to barge-in upon, IBS₀. IBS₀ 130-1 then waits for the LDS toindicate that the call has connected to IBS₀ 130-2 via Q.931 Setup ACK,Q.931 Call Proceeding and Q.931 Connect. IBS_(n) 130-1 then sends aHandoff Directive to IBS₀ 130-2 to inform the IBS that IBS_(n) 130-1 hassuccessfully established a three-way call (DPU) as well as sending aQ.931 Connect ACK to LDS 140.

In step “c”, after receiving the Handoff Directive, IBS₀ 130-2 cancelstimer T1. IBS₀ sends an IS-136 Handoff order to the MS requesting it toretune to the new RF channel on IBS_(n) 130-1. After the MS acknowledgesthe order, IBS₀ 130-2 starts to release the ISDN B-channel via Q.931disconnect. LDS 140-2 returns a Q.931 release to IBS₀ 130-2, which thensends Q.931 release complete to LDS 140-2. Simultaneously IBS₀ 130-2informs H-NSP 145-1 that it has completed the handoff to the new IBS,IBS_(n) 130-1. H-NSP 145-1 acknowledges this notification.

In step “d”, when the MS arrives on the new channel, detected byIBS.sub.n 130-1 by the DVCC status change, IBS_(n) 130-1 sends a HandoffResult message to H-NSP 145-1. H-NSP 145-1 notes that the handoff iscompleted to the new IBS and cancels timer T2. Voice path is establishedvia a new route and the call continues.

Call Processing for an LCS Subscriber Who Makes an Outgoing Call

This section describes the signaling flow scenario for a call originatedby the LCS subscriber from a subscribed-to neighborhood zone.

Referring to FIG. 7, step “a” the subscriber, for example, subscriber 10in HNZ 105-1 dials a number on the MS; the MS sends an IS-136origination message to the serving IBS 130-2. The IBS 130-2 sends a callrequest message to the NSP 145-1 to validate the call. The NSP 145-1 mayinitiate an authentication procedure via AC 190 when necessary. The NSP145-1 validates the MS via its associated Intelligent Database (ID)146-1. If the resources are available, it reserves a B-channel and DTC,and sends a call req ack message to the IBS 130-2 with the resourceinformation. If no resources are available, NSP 145-1 send a call reqnack and the IBS 130-2 rejects the call.

In step “b” the IBS 130-2 sends a Q.931 call setup message to the LDS140-2. The LDS 140-2 sends an ISUP IAM message to the destination switchin the PSTN 100 to initiate end-to-end connection. The LDS 140-2 sends aQ.931 call proceeding message to the IBS 130-2 to connect the B-channelto the LDS 140-2.

In step “c” the IBS 130-2 sends an IS-136 DTC designation message to theMS and verifies the MS is on the DTC by monitoring the returning DVCCcode status change. The LDS 140-2 receives an ISUP ACM message from thePSTN switch 100 and sends a Q.931 alert message to the IBS 130-2. Thering back tone is established between the LDS 140-2 and the MS.

Finally, in step “d” the LDS 140-2 receives an ISUP ANM message from thePSTN switch 100 when the destination user finally answers. The LDS 140-2sends a Q.931 connect message to the IBS 130-2 to complete theend-to-end connection. The IBS 130-2 sends an IS-136 connect message tothe MS and the voice path is established, thus completing the outgoingcall process.

Thus, there has been described a complete system for providing a newlocal cordless-type services where a mobile subscriber may receive andmake free calls within their subscribed-to neighborhood zones.

All United States patents referred to herein should be deemed to beincorporated by reference as to their entire contents. The followingcopending patent applications, which have each been filed on the sameday as the present application, are hereby incorporated by reference asto their entire contents: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/223,322,entitled “Neighborhood Residential Cordless Services,” invented by A.Chow et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/223,320, entitled“Automatic Status Indicators for Neighborhood Cordless Services,”invented by A. Chow et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/223,321,entitled “Automatic Service Selection Feature,” invented by A. Chow etal. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/223,317, entitled “Method forBilling Subscribers With Neighborhood Cordless Residential Service,”invented by A. Chow et al. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/223,316,entitled “Neighborhood Residential Cordless Service Call Handoff WithCall Barging,” invented by A. Chow et al.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: a local digital switch forproviding a bearer channel line interface to an intelligent basestation, wherein the local digital switch is further for providing atrunk-side interface to a network server platform and one of a publicswitched telecommunications system and a public cellular network,wherein the intelligent base station provides a local cordless-typeservice to a plurality of mobile stations, the intelligent base stationcomprising a controller for receiving radio frequency signals from theplurality of mobile stations, wherein the intelligent base station isassigned a wired network directory number, wherein the intelligent basestation is in communication with the local digital switch; and thenetwork server platform, wherein the network server platform comprises apair of redundant work stations and an intelligent database containingsubscriber profile information within a home neighborhood zone, whereinthe subscriber profile information comprises subscriber profiles,subscribed calling features and calling preferences, wherein the networkserver platform is linked with other network server platforms forcommunication via an internet protocol based local cordless-type serviceintranet via a router, wherein the network server platform is incommunication with the trunk-side interface.
 2. The system of claim 1,wherein the intelligent base station is in communication with a firstremote digital terminal for providing a bearer channel interface betweenthe intelligent base station and the local digital switch.
 3. The systemof claim 2, wherein the intelligent base station communicates with thefirst remote digital terminal via a basic rate interface bearer channel.4. The system of claim 2, wherein the first remote digital terminal isfor communicating with a second remote digital terminal using a GR-303standard.
 5. The system of claim 1, wherein the local digital switch isfor interfacing with a mobile switching center over a trunk line.
 6. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the intelligent base station is assigned aplurality of wired network directory numbers.
 7. The system of claim 6,wherein upon detecting one mobile station of the plurality of mobilestations moving to another neighborhood zone, the intelligent basestation acts as a proxy to associate one of the plurality of wirednetwork directory numbers with the one mobile station.
 8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the home neighborhood zone and the another neighborhoodzone are adjacent.
 9. The system of claim 7, wherein the homeneighborhood zone and the another neighborhood zone are non-adjacent.10. The system of claim 1, wherein when one of the plurality of mobilestations is removed from a neighborhood zone where a telecommunicationscall was initiated, the telecommunications call is handed off to anotherintelligent base station.